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Come root at the shoot Thursday

Proceeds go to the Grant Fire Department

By Jan RahnManaging Editor Come take part in a shoot out when the Ogallala Indians come to town (today) Thursday. The battle will take place during halftime of the boys basketball game which is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. Shooting against each other (basketballs, that is) will be seven local residents raising funds for the Grant Volunteer Fire Department. Some of the competitive shooters are from local service clubs or organizations. Others are designated shooters chosen to represent an organization. Other club volunteers will serve as ball retrievers, time keepers, score keepers and ball organizers. Those the public can choose from to put their pledge toward include Ivan Regier who played ball in high school at Madrid and at Freeman in South Dakota; John Long who played for the Plainsman team that went to state in 1968; Don Softley who currently serves as Grant’s fire chief and also played during his high school years; Toni Wyatt representing Preceptor Alpha Psi Sorority; Jayson Bishop serving as designated shooter for Xi Gamma Psi Sorority who played for the Plainsmen and served later as assistant coach; Ryan Potts who achieved all-state honors as a Wheatland Spartan; and Mike Mayer who was an avid player in high school and currently serves as assistant basketball coach for the Perkins County Lady Plainsmen. This uplifting activity will brighten the final regular season game for everyone on the bleachers and the benches as Perkins County Schools heads toward Christmas break. Sponsored by the Grant Lions Club and seven other clubs, the event will show the community’s appreciation to fire department personnel and provide a financial boost following their response to many area fires during this past hot, dry summer. The public can contribute by making pledges toward completed baskets by their favorite shooter, or by placing a free-will donation in a collection jar.